My Culinary Confessions

While wandering around the Internet, I came across an old post on David Lebovitz's blog in which he spills all his culinary confessions. I think it was a meme for a bit a few years ago so I apologize for being late to the party, but I thought it might be fun to share a few of my own kitchen secrets. I'd also love to hear yours so please feel free to add to the list in the comments section.

Culinary Confessions

I always eat the first (ugly) pancake while standing at the stove making the rest of the batch.

I rarely sift my dry ingredients (even though I often tell you to sift!)

I scoop my flour directly out of the bag even though I know I'm supposed to spoon it into the measuring cup.

I get irritated when waiters start clearing plates while someone is still eating. It's a quirk I picked up from a guy I used to date who would get incredibly annoyed by it, and would hang on to his empty plate for dear life until I finished mine.

I prefer raw cookie dough to baked chocolate chip cookies.

I use the phrase “I can make that” at least once a day in reference to something edible seen on television, a magazine, a menu, or a store.

And then I usually do make it.

I crave Big Macs and McDonald’s French Fries, but it’s been two years since I’ve had either.

I love mayonnaise. Especially with, on, and in eggs.

I also really love candy. Pretty much all kinds, fancy or expensive, except for licorice things. At the store I always wander into the candy aisle and stare at the options for several minutes, but I rarely buy anything.

Except Cadbury Cream Eggs. I always buy those.

And then I sit and Google ways to make them from scratch at home.

I hate licorice.

But I like Sambuca.

And Amaretto makes me dizzy-happy.

My risotto is perfect, but my regular rice is almost ALWAYS mushy.

Fortunately I don’t really like rice.

Except in paella or pudding.

I only like duck in pate form.

After hearing my coworkers complain about the alleged aftertaste of Splenda one-too-many times, I baked a decadent flourless chocolate torte using only Splenda and smiled inwardly when they raved and polished it off completely unaware that it wasn’t made with sugar.

I go to the grocery store every couple days, in addition to a big Fresh Direct delivery. I also stop at the Asian market, the farmer’s market, and Williams Sonoma for additional “staples.”

I prefer grocery shopping to all other kinds of shopping, and when I’m sad or feeling a bit down, I find walking into a grocery store is the quickest way to make myself feel better.

I love veal, fois gras, and pork without guilt.

I don't like buttercream frosting. It's too sweet and too buttery.

This despite the fact that I. Love. Butter.

I do like canned frosting (or the memory of it as it’s been years since I’ve had any).

Anytime I eat out I can’t help but think about how I’d recreate the recipe at home, certain that my version would be better.

I think that pine nuts, when eaten on their own, have a flavor very similar to smoky bacon or prosciutto.

I much prefer imported oil-packed tuna, but my heart hurts a little bit when I have to pay ~10 dollars for a single jar.

I peak in the oven several times while baking. It’s yet to cause a disaster.

As much as I love to cook, there are some nights when all I want is an order of Chinese lo mein noodles from the takeout place next door. (And eaten straight from the carton!)

lol I'm sorry about my offensive secrets. Tater tots make me think of Will because he was always eating them with meatloaf and cod and ketchup. Also dill. He put dill on everything. Are you out there, Will? We miss you!

I don't have too many culinary confessions, except sadly that I can probably count on one hand all of the times I actually cooked in 2008. I did however just want to say I loved this post! Very interesting.

This is so funny! I am so with you on the cookie dough vs. baked cookie thing! I mean I love the baked cookies too- but NOTHING tops the raw dough! I also hate cheesecake. I guess my confession would be that although I haven't eaten red meat in 13 years I like the smell of barbecued anything- even though I don't actually have any desire to eat it!

i didn't eat a chocolate chip cookie until i was probably 12 or so because i only liked the dough. and i also like my fish well done, so i will think of you anytime someone (ie. simon) gives me hell for charring my seafood!

maybe one of your autumn 2009 posts should be "how to mull spices" in hono(u)r of will. or perhaps a funfetti cake recipe to make up for the time we devoured his as a late night snack.

I love cheddar cheese but can't stand the cheap stuff so I spend £3.50 a week on it. I drink a pint of full fat milk a day and don't feel guilty. I love steak but don't like the taste of beef, I hate peanuts but love peanut butter. I adore chocolate (real chocolate) but I don't like chocolate icing, chocolate milkshake, chocolate cake etc. I love baking but I'm not very good at it (my friends and family smile and bear the taste) and I am now well and truly hooked on cookery blogs. I especially like your one!